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WASHINGTON, Feb 12- U.S. consumer spending barely rose in January as households cut back on purchases of a range of goods, suggesting the economy started the first quarter on a softer note. The Commerce Department said on Thursday retail sales excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services edged up 0.1 percent last month after a 0.3...

WASHINGTON, Feb 12- The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment rose more than expected last week, but the underlying trend remained consistent with a strengthening labor market. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 25,000 to a seasonally adjusted 304,000 for the week ended Feb. 7, the Labor Department said on Thursday.

*Trade deficit widens to $46.6 billion in December. WASHINGTON, Feb 5- The U.S. trade deficit in December widened sharply to its highest level since 2012 as a stronger dollar appeared to suck in imports and weigh on exports, which could see the fourth-quarter economic growth estimate revised lower. The Commerce Department said on Thursday the trade deficit...

WASHINGTON, Feb 5- The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment rose less than expected last week, a sign that the labor market continues to strengthen. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 11,000 to a seasonally adjusted 278,000 for the week ended Jan. 31, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Claims for the week ended Jan. 24...

*Jobless claims at lowest level since April 2000. WASHINGTON, Jan 29- The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits tumbled last week to its lowest level in nearly 15 years, adding to bullish signals on the labor market. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 43,000 to a seasonally adjusted 265,000 for the week ended Jan. 24,...

WASHINGTON, Jan 29- The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits tumbled last week to its lowest level in nearly 15 years, adding to bullish signals on the labor market. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 43,000 to a seasonally adjusted 265,000 for the week ended Jan. 24, the lowest since April 2000, the Labor Department...

"It is unclear at this point whether or not this move up in the trend reflects issues seasonally adjusting the data around the holidays or if it represents a more meaningful deterioration in the labor market," said Daniel Silver, an economist at JP Morgan in New York. State-level data for the week ending Jan. 10 showed an increase in claims in the oil-producing...

WASHINGTON, Jan 22- The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week from a seven-month high, pointing to continued improvement in labor market conditions. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits slipped 10,000 to a seasonally adjusted 307,000 for the week ended Jan. 17, the Labor Department said on Thursday.

WASHINGTON, Jan 15- U.S. producer prices in December recorded their biggest fall in more than three years on tumbling energy costs while underlying inflation pressures were tame, a cautionary note for the Federal Reserve as it ponders its next step on monetary policy. The Labor Department said on Thursday its producer price index for final demand declined 0.3...

WASHINGTON, Jan 15- The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits last week increased to the highest level since early September, but the underlying trend continued to point to a strengthening labor market. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose by 19,000 to a seasonally adjusted 316,000 for the week ended Jan. 10, the Labor...

CNBC's Rick Santelli breaks down the latest unemployment numbers and producer prices. And CNBC's Steve Liesman and Michelle Caruso-Cabrera provides perspective on the data and the move on the Swiss franc.

WASHINGTON, Jan 8- The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week and job cuts declined for a second straight month in December, adding to signs of a strengthening labor market. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits slipped by 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 294,000 for the week ended Jan. 3, the Labor Department said...

WASHINGTON, Jan 8- The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, adding to signs of a strengthening labor market. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits slipped by 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 294,000 for the week ended Jan. 3, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims...

WASHINGTON, Dec 31- The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits rose more than expected last week, but the trend remained consistent with sustained strength in the labor market. Initial claims for state unemployment aid increased by 17,000 to a seasonally adjusted 298,000 for the week ended Dec. 27, the Labor Department said on Wednesday,...

*Weekly jobless claims increase 17,000. WASHINGTON, Dec 31- The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week, but the trend remained consistent with sustained strength in the labor market. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased by 17,000 to a seasonally adjusted 298,000 for the week...